Corn harvester



Dec. 29, 1953 R. C. FERGASON CORN HARVESTER 10 sheds-sheet 1 Mii Original Filed June 15, 1942 Dec. 29, 1953 R. c. FERGAsoN CORN HARVESTER 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June l5, 1942 www.

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Dec. 29, 1953 R. c. FERGAsoN CORN HARVESTER originaiFnedJune 15, 1942 Dec. 29, 1953 R. c. FERGAsoN 2,663,983

CORN HARVESTER original Filed June 15, 1942 1o sheets-sheet 4 Dec. 29, 1953 Original Filed June l5, 1942 R. C. FERGASON CORN HARVESTER l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 29, 1953 R. c. FERGAsoN CORN HARVESTER 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed June 15, 1942 lh.. WM;

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CORN HARVESTER Original Filed June 15., 1942 1o sheets-sheet 1o Patented Dec. 29, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE CORN HARVESTER Rector C. Fergason, Gadsden,

Ala., assignor to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Mil- Waukee, Wis.,

Continuation of application Serial No.

June 15, 1942. 1949, Serial No.

35 claims. 1

stalks and preferably removes the husks from the picked ears and conveys the latter to a suitable point of collection. i.

' Tractor mounted corn harvesters have been in commercial production and use for a considerable time past, but commercial forms of such harvesters have heretofore been relatively cumbersome and heavy, with consequent necessity of a tractor of relatively high power and hence high cost and power consumption, and expensive for the farmer to own and operate, as well as requiring relatively considerable time and labor in assembling the harvester on the tractor and removing it therefrom when it is desired to use the tractor for other farm purposes. A very considerable disadvantage of various present commercial forms of corn harvesters is the fact that much of the essential operating mechanism of the harvester, when mounted on a tractor, is disposed at a relatively high point off the ground and restricts the quarters of the tractor operator and obstructs his view of the crop to be harvested, as well as placing the operator in a position very close to operating parts of the harvester mechanisms, with consequent hazard of injury therefrom. And also, because of the relatively great weight and relatively high center of gravity of the mounted harvester, the effect of travel over the relatively rough ground of the iield is such as to induce increased wear on shaft bearings and connections between the parts of the mechanism, and thus generally to reduce the useful life of the harvester.

The present invention is directed toward and contemplates avoiding or minimizing these and other disadvantages of present commercial forms of such farm implements, and the production of a corn harvester of such simple design and con-1 struction, reduced number of parts and lightweight, as results in reduced initial cost to the farmer and reduced costs of operation, and embody features which provide for eiiicient operaf 5 tion and increased comfort and safety of the a corporation of Delaware This application August 18, 111,057

operator, with improved vision of the crop and the operation of the machine, and which facilitate ready assembling of the harvester on the tractor and removal therefrom in minimum time.

Particularly desirable results and advantages are attained in a corn harvester embodying the present invention through features of design directed toward the production of a harvester of reduced weight and overall height wherein all of the essential parts of the harvester and drives therefor may be .mounted on a common frame suspended from the tractor at a low point, to produce what may be termed an underslung arrangement of the harvester, wherein the parts thereof will not constitute obstruction to the vision ofthe tractor operator or injury hazard to him.

In the attainment of certain desirable results and advantages in a corn harvester embodying the present invention, the snapping rolls, and preferably the husking rolls, are disposed mainly forwardly of the tractor rear axle and at such low elevation that the necessary devices for conveying corn from the rolls may pass beneath the rear axle of the tractor to a point of collection to the rear thereof, with the rolls and conveyers assembled on a unitary frame pivotally mounted on the tractor in a simple manner to permit vertical adjustment of the forward end of the frame and parts carried thereby.

Additional advantages are attainable in accordance with this invention through providing harvesting rolls and operative mountings therefor of improved design and construction and mounting, insuring highly desirable harvesting effects with respect to efficient snapping of the corn from-the stalks and removal of husks from the picked ears.

Additional advantages of the present invention are concerned with the provision of a conveyer mechanism of improved design and utilizing a single movable conveying element effectively disposed With respect to the harvesting rolls, for gathering the corn stalks into picking relation with respect to the rolls, and conveying picked corn over the husking rolls, and conveying the husked corn to a point of collection at the rearof the tractor.

Further advantages of this invention are concerned with the provision of an improved design of harvester rolls, embodying forward picking or snapping sections and rearward husking sections aligned with the picking sections, and preferably mounted en -the same shaft therewith.

A further advantage of this invention isconcerned with the provision of cooperative husking rolls of improved design wherein provisions are made for effectively presenting the picked corn to yieldable husking points of improved design carried by one of the husking rolls for facilitating removal of the husks; and .an additional advantage is concerned with the provision of an improved device for yieldingly pressing picked ears onto the husking rolls without interference with the movable conveying element.

Further advantages of this invention are concerned with the provision of devices of improved design and construction for guiding the standing corn stalks into effective snapping relation with respect to the rolls, and for lifting down stalks and ears into position where they are effectively carried into desired operative relation with respect to the rolls.

Further advantages of this invention are concerned with the provision of devices of improved design and construction and association with the harvester rolls for .preventing passage oi the ears of corn into a position where they may be injured by the snapping rolls.

A further feature of advantage of this inven tion is concerned with the provision of a harvester of such design that the essential operative parts thereof are mounted on a unitary frame over which a tractor may be driven, and when the latter is in suitable position for attaching, the harvester as a unit may be readily connected in operative position on the tractor with a minimum of operations and time spent.

Further advantages of this present invention are concerned with the provision of an improved power drive for the harvester and mounted on theharvester frame and providing for the operation of the various harvester mechanisms through a detachable driving connection of a single driving element carried by the harvester frame to a power take-01T connection on the tractor.

Further advantages of this invention are concerned with the provision of an improved power drive mounted on the harvester frame for driving the various operating mechanisms of Vthe harvester and wherein the essential geared drives are mounted in a seaied enclosure.

Further advantages of this invention are concerned with the provision of an improved corn harvester for mounting on a tractor and wherein an elevating conveyer for harvested corn is mounted on, and preferably separately detachable from, the harvester frame, and the harvester mechanisms are driven through a driving connection from the power drive on the harvester frame; and additional advantages are concerned with the provision of a simple and improved combined slip and mechanically operated clutching device inthe elevator drive.

A further advantage of the invention is concerned with the provision of an improved design of elevator housing and conveyer iiights cooperative therewith providing improved eiiiciency in the matter of saving shelled corn passing along the conveyer.

A further advantage of the invention vis con-k cerned with the provision of an Aimproved design of readily detachable suspension for the elevating conveyer attachable to the tractor in a manner providing maximum freedom to the operator and capable of serving as a support for the conveyer in elevated position when the har-- vester assembly is dismounted -from the tractor.

Further advantages of this invention are concerned with the provision of an improved design of center divider and associated shields for a harvester of the two-row type; and additional advantages of the invention are concerned with an improved design of readily removable and replaceable outer shield, and associated parts, for

gathering and picking mechanism of the harvester.

A further advantage of this invention is concerned with the provision of an improved design .of adjustable supporting jacks normally carried by the harvester frame and movable to a position wherein they provide an adjustable support for the harvester frame on the ground for facilitating mounting of the frame on and dismounting it from thetractor.

Objects of this invention are concerned with provision of a corn harvester and its mounting on a tractor, of such improved design and construction as contribute to the attainment of the aforesaid and other structural and operating advantages, individually and collectively.

These and other objects and advantagesare attained by the present invention, various novel features of which will be apparent from the description herein and the accompanying drawings, disclosing an embodiment of features of the invention, vand will be more particularly ypointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation, with parts removed to facilitate illustration, showing a tractor-mounted corn harvester embodying A leatures of the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view .in elevation, with parts in section, of a detail shown in Fig. 1,-jand concerned with an auxiliary support for :the harvester frame;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in plan, in the plane of the 1ine -III-III of 4:;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, in the plane of the line IV-IV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a detail, in the plane of the line V--V of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, in the plane vof the line VI-VI of Fig. 5;

Fig. l is a plan view of the harvester, `with parts removed, in its relation to the tractor;

Fig. l3 is a rear end view, partly in section, showing a .detail of the pivotal mounting ofthe harvester;

Fig. 9 is a view in elevation of a detail shown in Fig. y8

Fig. 10 is a plan View of .the harvester, ywith parts removed;

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are pian, side elevation and rear elevation, respectively, Vof .a .detail shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. i4 is a sectional view, withfpartsiemoved in the plane oi the line XIV-XIV of Fig. 10;

Figs. 15-and 16 are planand Aside elevation, respectively, of a portion of Athe harvester frairie and lifting mechanism;

Fig. 1'? is a sectional view., in the plane ofthe line XVII-XVII of Fig. 18,-'of a detail Shown in Figs. Y15 'and 16; l

Fig. 18 is a sectional view inthe plane of `the line XVIII- XVIII of Fig. 17;

Fig. l19 is a side elevation of a detail shown in Fig. 15;

Fig, 20 is a perspective view of the harvester mounted on the tractor;

Fig. 21 is a side elevation, with parts ren'ioved.A

Q the 'rear portion ofthe harvester;

' XXV, respectively, of Fig. 22;

Fig. 26 is an enlarged sectional view taken in the common plane of the axes of the harvesting rolls;

Figs. 27, 28, 29 and 30 are sectional views, in

the planes of the lines EQIVII-XXVII, XXVIII-XXVIII, XXIX-XXIX and XXX- XXX of Fig. 26;

Fig. 31 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of a. detail of Fig. 26;

Fig. 32 is an enlarged sectional view, in the same plane as Fig. 26, showing a detail;

Fig. 33 is an enlarged sectional view, in the plane of the line XXXlI--XXXIII of Fig. 26;

Fig. 34 is an enlarged sectional View of a detail of Fig. 33; Y

Fig. 35 is a sectional view in the plane of the line XXXV-XXXV of Fig. 10;

Fig. 36 is an enlarged substantially horizontal sectional view in the general plane of the line XXXVI-XXXVI of Fig. 37, showing details of the enclosed main drive of the harvester;

Fig. 37 is a sectional view in the plane of the line XXXVII- XXXVII of Fig. 36;

Figs. 38 and 39 are sectional views, in the planes f the lines XXXVIII-XXXVIII and 'XXXIX- IQIXIX of Fig. 37;

Fig. 40 is a plan View, with parts removed, of the forward end of a portion of the harvester;

Fig. 4l is an enlarged sectional view in the plane of the line XLI-XLI of Fig. 40;

Figs. 42 and 43 are sectional views, in the planes 0f the lines XLII-XLII and XLIII-XLIII, respectively, of Fig. 40 with the rolls shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 44 is an enlarged plan View of one of the removable outer gathering elements of the harvester;

Fig. 45 is an outer side view of one of the elements shown in Fig. 44;

Fig. 46 is an enlarged 'plan view of a detail shown in Figs. 44 and 45;

Fig. 47 is a sectional view in the plane of the line XLVII-XLVII of Fig. 46;

- Fig. 48 is an enlarged sectional view in the plane of the line IUJVIII-XLVIII of Fig. 45;

Fig. 49 is a sectional view, with parts removed. in the plane of the line XLIX-XLIX of Fig. 10

Fig. 50 is a plan view of an element shown in Figs. 10 and 49;

Fig. 51 is a sectional view in the plane of the line LI-LI of Fig. 50;

Fig. 52 is a plan view of a detail shown in Fig. 49; and

Fig. 53 is an enlarged sectional view, lin the plane of the line LIII-LIII of Fig. 23.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, a conventional form of tractor, or other suitable form of mobile frame, is indicated at 2, and includes a supporting frame 3 carrying an engine 4, with conventional control and other accessories. The tractor frame is supported on a pair of steerable front wheels having their axles suitably hung from the frame, and on a pair of traction wheels 6 carried by a rear axle housing 1 supported on or integral with the rear portion of the tractor frame. This rear axle housing is preferably of the drop type wherein the central or intermediate portion encloses a Cri 6. differential drive, driven from the usualV transmission shaft 8, and depending side portions 9 of the housing enclose gear connections from the differential drive to the axles of the traction wheels 6. A conventional change-speed transmission Ill provides a variable speed connection from the engine shaft to the transmission shaft 8; and a power take-off connection II, preferably associated with the transmission I0, serves to drive a power take-off shaft I2 Ahaving an internally splined sleeve I3 at its rear end for furnishing power to the various parts of an implement that may be associated with the tractor. An operators seat I4 is suitably supported on the engine frame or rear axle housing in desired position with respect to the-tractors controls. A fan I5 may be mounted on and suitably driven from the tractor engine, for furnishing an air blast to remove loose trash from the tractor and implement parts.

The corn harvester is 'shown as comprising two units which are similar except as to being left and right, respectively, and each comprising cooperative picking and husking rolls mounted on a supporting frame and disposed at its own side of the tractor frame and with its essential harvesting parts disposed laterally within the tread of the adjacent traction wheel 6, and a conveying device extending rearwardly for conveying husked corn beneath the tractor rear axle housing and depositing it in the forward lower end of an elevating conveyer 26 at the rear of the tractor, along with suitable controls and drives for operating the several mechanisms of the harvester. v

As more particularly shown in Fig. 15, the harvester frame ucomprises two *longitudinally extending frame bars 23 inclined away from "the center line ofthe harvester toward their forward ends and having their rear portions downwardly inclined with respect to the forward portions. These bars 23 are connected in spaced relation through a cross bar r25 at their rear end, with their reary portions occupying a position substantially below the intermediate portion of the rear axle housing; and a cross bar 26 rigidly connected to the bars 23 at a forward point. Longitudinally extending frame bars 21 preferably of rectangular tubular form are disposed laterally outside of the bars 23 but at points within the tread of the adjacent traction wheels 6, and their forward portions are in substantially the same horizontal plane as the bars 23 but with their rear ends generally inclined downwardly at a slightly different rate of inclination than the bars 23. The bars 21 are secured in desired assembled relation with nected, directly or through connecting brackets,

to rearl ends of the bars 21 and to the bars 23.'

The bars 21 are also connected to the adjacent longitudinal frame bars 23 through brackets 32 rigidly connected to the bars 23 and bearing supports 34 detachably connected to the brackets 32 and to the forward end portion or an extension thereof, of the corresponding bars 21. A cross bar 36 is also rigidly connected, through connecting brackets, to the longitudinal bars 23, and upstanding'bracket members 38 serve to connect the lateral extensions of the cross bar 36 to the bars 21. These bracket members 38 serve as supports for the rear bearings of the harvester rolls, to be referred to hereinafter.` Reinforcing straps 39 may be welded at their ends to the frame bars 23 and at intermediate points to the upper face of the cross bars 29 and 36. Y

The harvester frame -is :pivotally -mountedlon the Atractor through horizontally aligned pivot pins 40 carried by the frame, preferably mounted on bracket plates 4| mounted on the rear portions of the frame bars 21, with the pivot element extending through and outwardly from the plate and welded thereto and braced thereon. The pins 40 are received in bearing recesses of bracket bearing members 45 which are open at their rear ends, the bearing pins being held in operative position in their bearing brackets 45 by removable locking pins 46. The bearing brackets are each mounted in position through a hanger portion 41 secured, preferably in a removable manner, by one or more screw bolts 48 to an underneath `part of the depending side portions 9 of the rear axle housing 1. The laterally projecting pivot pins 40 are in such position with respect to the other portions of the harvester frame that the tractor may be propelled rearwardly over the harvester frame and partscarried thereby when the frame is supported on the ground, with its rear end at a suitable e'levation, until the rear end of the bearing brackets 45, pass over and receive the Vpivot pins therein.

'The forward end of the harvester frame is hung from Athe tractor at an adjustable height above the ground lthrough a pair of hanger rods removably suspended from brackets 52 attached to each side of the tractor frame 3. The lower end of each of the hangers 5| is removably attached to yan arm 53 mounted on a sleeve 54 which is rotatably mounted on journals carried by brackets 56 mounted on the forward side ofrupstanding bracketplates 51 indirectly attached and in spaced relation to the frame parts 23, 26 and `32, as shown in Fig. 35 `and referred to hereinafter. A :counterbalancing spring 60 of the 'tension type, attached at its forward end, through ya bail or rod 6|, to `an arm .62 on the rotatable sleeve 54, and connected at its rear end through a yrod 63 adjustably connected to the cross bar 3s or preferably a bracket 58, as indicated in Fig. 16, thereon, exerts a-biasing turning moment on the rotatable sleeve 54, to thereby exert a lifting effect on the :harvester frame through the hanger rods 5|, thus partially counterbalancing the weight of the forward part of the harvester to any desired extent, determined bythe initial tension placed on the spring through the adjustable connection of the rod 63 to the cross bar 36 Aor a bracket thereon. Adjustable connection at the rear end of the rod 63 is preferably obtained through a nut 63' adjustably positioned on the threaded end of the rod, Ywhich latter passes loosely :through an aperture in the upright bracket 58 yon `cross bar 36, Vthe nut 53' bearing against the rear face of the bracket.

A"lhe forward portion of the harvester frame may be raised or lowered, against the biasing effect of the spring 5|), by an actuating lever 65 having va handle portion within reach of the tractor operator and with 'its lower end secured to a bracket on a sleeve 51 which is rotatable on journals mounted on brackets carried by the rear end of the adjacent vframe bar 21 Aand by the cross bar 29. The sleeve 51 has an arm 68 to which the rear end of a yielding operating connection 59 is attached, the forward end of this operating connection being attached vto an arm 10 on the rotatable sleeve 54. The operating lever 55 is held 'in desired position corresponding tothe desired height of the forward end of the harvesting 4mechanism above the ground, by a conventional form of latch 12 .carried by the lever and engaging in an appropriate notch of a quadrant 13' suitably `mounted on a rear portion of the harvester frame, 'or the .drive housing thereof, referred to hereinafter.

As the lever 65 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, it acts, through arm 68 on sleeve 61, to shift ,operating connection 65 forwardly and, through arm 10 on sleeve 54, the lever arm 53 on the sleeve 54 is rotated in a clockwise direc tion; .and since the point of connection of hangers 5| to the brackets 52 on the tractor frame are fixed, the result is that the forward part of the harvester frame moves downward about the bearings of the pivot pins 40 to a degree determined by the new position of the lever 55. As the spring 6D counterbalances a considerable portion of the weight of the harvester frame, the lowering of the forward end of the latter may be controlled through a relatively small force applied to the lever 65. On movement of the lever 65 in a clockwise direction, then, through the operating connections described hereinabove, the sleeve 54 and arm 53 thereon are moved counterclockwise, with the result that the front end of the harvester frame moves upward about its pivot pins 40 to a new position determined by the new position of the lever 65. .In this latter adjustment, the effect of the counterbalancing spring is to greatly reduce the force that is required to be applied to the actuating lever A to accomplish the lifting operation.

As more particularly shown in Figs. 1G, 1'7 and 18, the operating connection 69 Ibetween thearrn 68 on sleeve 61 and the arm 1B on sleeve 54, in stead of being a rigid one, is made yielding to permit the forward end of the frame to lift in-v cident to travel of the harvester over uneven ground during operation, without affecting the position of adjustment of the hand lever 515. This yielding connection is in the form of a rod 1| connected to the arm 19 on sleeve 5d and adjustably secured into the end of a tube 12, as by being adjustably threaded thereinto, and a rod 13 connected to the arm |58 on sleeve 61 and having its 'other end passing into a U-shaped frame 1.4

through an aperture in the closed end thereof. The open end of the frame 14 surrounds and is secured to the adjacent end of the tube 12, the end of the latter forming an interior Vabutment for one end of a compression spring 1S, a collar 18 on the rod 13, within the U-frame 14 and engaging the cross piece at the closed end of the frame 14, forming the other abutment for the spring. As the rod 13 is shifted to the left, on counterclockwise movement of the lever 65, the yunbalanced weight of the harvester is permitted to move the tube 12 and the frame 14 attached thereto in the same direction in which the rod 13 is shifted, until the closed end of the frame 14 abuts the collar 18 on the rod 13 in the newly adjusted position of the lever 65. As the lrod 13 is shifted toward the right by the lever 55, to raise the harvester, the rod 13, acting through the engagement of the collar 13 with the closed end of the frame 14, shifts the tube 12 to the right to accomplish the Vdesired lifting of the harvester. As the forward end of the harvester rises and falls in traveling over rough ground, the compression spring 16 permits the incidental movement of the sleeve 12 and frame 14 ywithout shifting the rod 13 or affecting the adjustment of the lever 65.

The tube 12 is provided kwith `a transverse aperture .30 at a point beyond the yadjacent lvendv of therod 13 when the latter is in normal position; and a removable pin 8l may be inserted through the aperture 8u when it is desired to limit the movement of its tube 12 relative to the rod 13; and when the parts are in this condition, the operating connection 59 acts as a substantially'nonextensible or nonyielding connection between the arm 68 of sleeve 61 and the arm 19 of sleeve 51|. Use is made of this nonyielding connection of the parts 12 and 14 when it is desired to detach the harvester from or mount it on the tractor, particularly in detaching the hanger rods from the tractor frame, as referred to hereinafter.

An enclosing housing, shown particularly in Figs. 36 and 37, of a power transmitting drive 82 is removably mounted on a pair of spaced brackets 83 preferably detachably secured by bolts to and extending rearwardly from the cross bar 29 of the harvester frame. The housing includes end sections 85, 89 having separate closures 81 at their lower side, detachably secured in position by bolts passing through aligned holes in the fianges of the housing sections and the closures. Each of the sections 86, 85 has its inner end wall 89 secured in preferably permanently sealed relation to the walls of the respective housing sections. The intermediate section 99 of the housing is left open at its lower side.

A sectional bearing supporting frame is mounted within each of the end sections 85, 96 of the housing, this supporting frame comprising a bearing supporting section 9|, disposed substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and a second bearing supporting section 92 disposed at substantially right angles to the rst section 9|. This bearing supporting frame is secured in position in the housing by means of removable bolts 93, 94. The bolts 94 pass through the rear side wall of the housing section and are threaded into the supporting section 9|, and the bolts 93 pass through the front wall of the housing and are threaded into the supporting section 92. A bearing housing 95 'is secured in positionin an opening through the and removably held in position on the forward eno. or' the shaft and serving to hold the bearing in position in the housing. A flexible coupling lua, preferably in the iorin of a double universal coupling, has a iear end flange detacnably bolted to a riange on the sleeve |92, and a forward end flange which may be detacnably bolted to a flange on a ,coupling sleeve Sd secured to the end oi' a shaft for operating harvesting rolls, referred to hereinafter.

An enclosing gear casing |95 is removably mounted Within the intermediate section 99 of the main drive housing, through removable screw y bolts ie' passing through the front wall of this passing through an external securing flange on the bearing housing 95 and through the front wall of the housing and being threaded into the support 9|, 92. Y

l A shaft section 96 is mounted in the housing section 85, and a shaft section 91 is mounted in the housing section 86, in bearings carried by the respective bearing supporting sections 9|, and is in guided and sealed relation with a removable sealing device 98 in the inner end wall 89 of the respective housing sections. The inner ends of the shafts 96 and 91 are splined and project into the intermediate housing section housing section about an opening therein and into the adjacent wall of the gear casing, and removable bolts |98 passing through other Wall portions of the housing and into supporting projections of the gear casing. The bolts |95 also pass through an external flange on a bearing housing |99, and when drawny up tight serve to seal the opening in the housing section. The lower side of the gear casing |95 has an opening therein normally closed by a removable c10- sure plate ||9 secured in sealing relation with the casing.

A longitudinally extending shaft section H2 is mounted in bearings in the end walls of the gear casing |95, and these walls are provided with removable seals ||3 about the bearings to prevent leakage of lubricating fluid from the casing. The ends of the shaft section ||2 project beyond the casing; and each of the projecting ends is splined and fits into the adjacent end portion of a correspondingly splined removable coupling sleeve H5. |59, respectively,'the other end of which receives the adjacent splined end of shaft section 91,96, respectively, the ycoupling sleeves detachably connecting the adjacent shaft ends in alignment and constituting a detachable driving connection between the shaft sections. The coupling sleeve ||5di connecting the shaft sections 96 and ||2 is provided at its end adjacent the housing section with a sprocket wheel I6.

A bevel gear ||1 on the shaft section ||2, a hub section of this gear constituting a journal for the shaft, meshes with a bevel gear H8 on the inner end of a shaft section H9 extending forwardly with a slight upward inclination and mounted within one or more bearings carried by the bearing housing |99. rl'he forward end of this shaft is provided with a removable sleeve holding the bearing in position and, in conjunction with a sealing device between the sleeve and the bearing housing, serving to close the forward end of the gear casing against leakage of lubricating fluid. A universal coupling sleeve section |2| is secured on and in xed relation on the forward end of the shaft section H9, the forward section |23 of the coupling having mounted therein the rear end of a forwardly extending shaft section |24, the latter being rotatable in the section |23 and removably held against appreciable longitudinal movement therein. The forward portion of the shaft |24 is in two splined sections |25, |26 separated by a collar or enlargement |21 of greater diameter than the splined sections.

The forward end of the coupling section |23 is provided with rounded ratchet teeth normally meshing with corresponding ratchet teeth, as indicated at |28, on a flange portion at the rear end of an internally splined sleeve |29 surrounding and meshing with the splined shaft section |25. The ratchet teeth of the elements |23 and |29 are held in normal meshing relation to constitute a extensions |15 at the forward end of a trash roll section |16. When the pin |14 is driven into position, the inner end engages the shaft and, due to the taper groove at the inner end, expands in the space between the shaft and an undercut wall of the sections |61, |16, respectively, to lock the pin against withdrawal while these roll sections are on the shaft. The roll section |16 is secured by a pin |68 to the shaft |6| and is provided with longitudinal ribs |13, generally similar in character and number to the ribs |68 on the roll section |61. The rear end of the roll section |16 is undercut and receives the forward end of the housing for the roll bearing |58 carried by the supporting plate 38. A spur gear |19 is rigidly secured in position on the rear end of the shaft |6| in such a manner with respect to the bearing support that the roll shaft is held in definite position'against appreciable longitudinal movement relative to the bearing support. The gear |19 is in driven relation with the spur gear |80 on the shaft |8| of the harvester roll |51.

The harvester roll |51 is of sectional construction and is mounted on its shaft |8|, with the forward snapping or picking section |62, |64 of the same design and construction as the corresponding section |62, |64 of the roll |56. The trash roll section |82 is similar to the corresponding section |61 of the roll |56, except for omission of the reduced extension |69 on the section |61. The husking roll section |83 of the roll |51 is in the form of a cylindrical relatively smooth metal tube preferably removably secured,

by screws or the like, on the rear end of the roll section |82 and on the forward end of a second trash roll section |84, generally similar to the roll section |16 of the roll |56, except as to the omission of the reduced forward end extension |15 on the roll section |16. The undercut rear end of the roll section |84 receives the forward end of the housing for the roll bearing |58, this housing being carried by the supporting plate 38. The roll section |83 is provided with longitudinal rows of diametrically aligned apertures |86 for. receiving yielding husking elements |81 preferably of spring metal.

Each of these husking elements |81 comprises a. body portion insertable through the apertures |86 to position within the roll and of a length such that, with the element in normal position, a husking point or peg 9| at one end thereof projects through an aperture |86, and the other end of the element, having a through aperture |92 therein, projects past the adjacent trailing edge of the diametrically opposite aperture |86 of the roll. Each spring element |81is held in normal position, with the husking point |9| projecting through an aperture |86, by a bracing leaf spring |83 whose curved central portion bears against the shaft, and one end portion presses the body portion of the element |81 against the inner surface of the roll; and a shouldered portion |94 of reduced width at the other end of the spring |93 is yieldingly urged through the aperture |92 in the adjacent end of the husking spring |81 and the adjacent aperture |86 in the roll, thus serving, through engagement of this reduced end portion of the bracing spring against the adjacent edge of the aperture |86, to hold the husking element in operative position on the roll. The husking point |9| is formed on the element |81 by distorting the end of the spring element to form a. hook-shaped point. The resiliently yielding body portion of the husking element |81 projects the husking points |9| to a position where they bite into the husks of the ears passing over the rolls and tear the husks and draw them downwardly into the space between the oppositely rotating rolls, the latter seizing the husks and drawing them through the rolls, the ears remaining on the upper side of the rolls.' As the husking points |9| come into engagement with the husking roll |83, they are yieldingly forced back into the apertures |86.

The forward bearing support 34 carries the roll bearings |59 on which rotate journal sleeves |95 suitably held in position on the shafts |6| and I8 I, as by a spacing and retaining collar and key; and the support is provided with machined guiding surfaces on which the housings |96 for the roll bearings |59 are supported. These bearing housings are maintained in position between the adjacent snapping roll and trash roll sections. The element 34 is provided with a shoulder at its forward side against which corresponding shoulders on the bearing housings |96 may engage. A yielding spacer |91 is preferably inserted between the two bearing housings. The outer end of the support 34 is provided with a tubular projection |88 which houses a spring 20| in normal position. This spring bears at its inner end against the outer bearing housing and at its outer end against an abutment carried at the inner end of an adjusting screw 202 threaded througha plate 203 fitted into a recess 204 in the wall of the tubular housing |96 and removable therefrom by lifting the plate with the adjusting screw therein outwardly from such recess. The spacing element 61 is preferably secured to the inner bearing housing and includes a fiber or like slightly compressible plate 205 held `between shims.

With the parts in position, the spring 20| urges the outer bearing into and yieldingly holds it at its innermost position, with a predetermined pressure dependent upon the adjustment of the screw, so that the relative positions of the two harvesting rolls are such that the husking roll sections |12, |63 are in substantial contact, as indicated in Fig. 29, and there is a slight clearance between the outer peripheries ofthe trash roll sections |61, |82 and |16, |84, and between the rear portions of the snapping roll sections |64, as indicated in Figs. 28r and 30. However, in the event any relatively unyieldingly obstruction, such as an extra heavy stalk or small stone should come between the rolls, the spring 20| will yield sufficiently to permit separation between the forward portions of the rolls to the required extent to permit the obstructionto pass through the rolls.

The several sections of the rollsare assembled on their shafts in such a manner that the ribs 65 on one of the roll sections |64 will be substantially in line with corresponding ribs on the other of such roll sections as they pass a point between the rolls, as indicated in Fig. 27, and the longitudinal ribs on one of the trash roll sections |61, |82 and the trash roll sections |16, |84 will be out of alignment with the corresponding ribs on the other of such trash roll sections as they rotate past a point at vthe inner side of the rolls, as indicated in Figs. 28 and 30, respectively.

One or both of the snapping roll sections |64 are provided adjacent the rear end thereof with one or more detachable snapping clips 206 extending radially outward slightly beyond the periphery of the ribs |65. The clips 206 are attached in circumferentially adjustable position on the rolls through screW bolts 201 passing through elongated! apertures in. a base portion 2&8 of the clip. The.- active portion of the clip is positioned slightly' rearwardly of the lagging edge of the rib. |165 on the roll at apointV wherethe clip will just clear or pass by they adjacent; rib on the opposite roll without interference. during rotation. of the rolls, these clips duringsuch operation serving-'to shear orcut any ear stemstha-t are-not snapped off'.

Each pair of rolls is driven through shaft tl: of the mainz drive, the universal connection |133, andv the. coupling section |l4 secured to the rear end. ofthe shaft' |8t,. thisl latter shaft being ro-. tatedina counterclockwise.-direction, viewed from the; rear; and, throughv the gear connection 180, |119', the other harvester roll is driven in an op' posite direction.

Attached. to. each longitudinal frame,y bar 23;, as. through brackets 2 2, isa plate. 2 I 3; projecting outwardly from the. bar 23 toward and overlying' the: adjacent. harvester roll |:51 to act as a stripper plate, and this plate extendsiorwardly from a; point.: adjacent the; bearing. support 34 tor aV pointin advance of, the forwardendoi the frame bar 23 and overlies an extension 24d at; the. forward end, thereof. The. forward portion of the inner edge of the; plate. 2 I-3.I is inclined: inwardly;` and the; plate has: a downwardly turned outer edgeprojecting toward. and. overlying the adja-v cent, roll` |51.. The upper face of the plate. at its outer edge'. is. preferably provided with a removable. wearing-:strip for a gathering'chain.

A; bracket, or. frame 2 I5. isadjustably mounted oni thai-forward' portion-.of the plate 2|3 through bolts 218 having an enlarged shank portion 2|!l adj acentthe headoftheboltandpassing through a transversely` elongated-i slot 22B: in the oaseof the. frame, and thereduced lower portion ofthe bolt passes through and projects downwardly beyond, a. longitudinally elongated slotY 22| through` a reinforced portions of the plater 2 3. A guide-collar .223r` surrounds the upper end of the reduced shank of the bolt 2||i and bearsagainst the underside of the enlarged portion 2|9 of the shank, and; it; projects slightlyA below; the under surfacefof the reinforcedportion of the plate-213. A- nut 22A-is threadedoir thelower end of the holte-nd may: be drawn up` tightly, preferably through-the intermediary of a washer extendingy beyond-.the sides-of theslot 22D, againstthe lower face: of; the spacing collar 2.23. The frame 2|5- may bethusheld fixed against movementttranseV verselyof the plate2l3, but at the same time the fir-amegisfree to move-longitudinally of'such plate. Qngreleasefof thenuts on thebolts 2|81, the frame may be adjusted transversely of the plate '2l-3 A bracketcarryinga rearwardly opening shield forthe forward: point, of the adjacent.harvesterY roll- |.5 is preferably secured in position on theundery side of the forward end of the bar'23 or its forward Y extension.

Withthe supporting frame. 29.51 fixed' inv a pre-` determined transverse position, the frame isyieldingly urged forwardly along the plate 1l-|31' by-an-abutmentnut. 225 adjustably held in posi tionfon theforwardendofa rod1221, thelatterv passing., in guided relation through an aperture4 in the rear end` wall 228;' of4 the frame. 2|5. The rod 22-1- is yieldingly urged forwardly by acornpression. spring 229-- held between an. adjustablev nut: 23|; andiwasher associated therewith on the rodgand an-abutment-ZSZ on a supporting bracket: frame 23,4:and-through whichthe-rod passes. An` abutment 23'5- on the rear endofathe. rod 223|` is cooperative with-the.; abutment; 23.2 to; limit. the;`

forward movement of the rod and the. supporting frame 2|5. The frame 23E- is supported in transversely adjustable. position on the plateV 2|'31 and an upper bracket. element on the outer wall of a shield 21.4, referred to hereinafter, by separate bolts. 235. passing through apertures. in the latter bracket and the plate 2i|3 and its supporting: brackets 2|2, and through transversely elongated slots 237| in the upper and lower walls of the frame. With the securing nuts on bolts 236 withdrawn. from clamping position, the position of the supporting. frame 234 may he adjusted laterally with respect to the plate 2|3'.

Due to the. fact that. the rod 22'? has only a loose guiding t inthe apertures of the' abutmentzwallsy 228. and 232, variation of the lateral position of the supporting. frame 235 does: not affect the action of the. rod, urged by the spring 22.9, in. yieldingly urging forward. the frame 2|5. independentlyof the. transverse position or either of. the supporting frames 2|5 or 234. A chain sprocket. 238 is mounted for free. rotation on. a bearing sleeve '23'9 held clamped in position by a bolt. 24D passing through apertures in the for- Ward end portion of the upper and lower walls of the frame. 2|5; and due to the actiony of the spring pressed rod 221 on the frame 215,v this sprocket is yieldingly urged to a forward posi. tion. to maintain in desired taut condition a combined gathering and conveying chain 24| onthesprocket, having conveying flights 242 and driven by the sprocket. l of they power' drive near the rear end of the harvester frame. The nights 2&2 are of reduced, height toward theirv outer ends and the outer. portions. of the flights lie over the harvester rolls |56-,v |51 to a. sufficient. extentA to draw stalks. into the snapping rolls and to. engage and convey picked ears rearwardlyalong the rolls. These chain flights preferablyextendfrom the chain in a direction having a slight. component in a trailing direction with respect to the travel ofthe chain, as indicated.` in- Eigj. 10.

Chain guides 243 and 2M' for the rearwardlytraveling working course of the chain 241|- are det'achably secured to the outer walls ofthe supporting frames 2|5 and 236i, respectively,v for guiding; or limiting the lateral movement of this portion of thev chain. Through lateral adjustment of. the frames 2|5 and 234, in the manner described hereinabove, the chain guides 2113 and 2.44 may be laterally adjusted to some extent to best'provide for the chain satisfactorily handling different crops under different conditions.

Trough-shaped plates. 245, shown in detail in Figs. 49, 50 and 5l, are removably secured by-bolts, through-avertical flange or wall 2153 at its outer side adjacent the rearv end thereof to a bracket 21H-v attached to the forward. side of each end section 85, 86 of the` main drive housing, andit is also removably secured by bolts at a forward, point to an upper flange or bracket 248 on the bear-ing supporting plate: 38. The lowerportion othis outer side wall of theplatef245 flares in wardly to the bottom oi the plate.. This. troughy plate 245. has its rear portion. resting4 on the upper sideof the respective-end section 85,186 of thedriveA housing, with an inclined dischargelip extending rearwardly and downwardly past` the-rear edge of the housing section,.as indicatedat 249; and it hasits forward end secured in; position by bolts 25S! passing through a flange on the-bracket 32 and a flange on. the lower edge. l ofthe. upright bracket plate 5T, lspacers-surround-.f ing.. these: bolts,l to maintain. the. desired spaced;

relation between the latter flange and the bracket 32, this spacing corresponding to the height of the inner side wall portion 25| of the plate 245. The forward portion of the outer side wall 245 of the trough plate 245 is of reduced height, and at its forward end adjacent the bearing support 38 it is distorted inwardly, to form a lip, as indicated at 252, lying over the gears |19, |88 on the rear end of the roll shafts.

Longitudinally extending chain guides 253 and 254 for the working course of the chain are secured in position by bolting the same, to the botom of the trough-shaped plate 245; and an inner chain guide 256 for the return course of the chain is secured in like manner on the bottom of the trough-plate. A guide sprocket 251 for the chain is mounted on a bearing sleeve held in position by a bolt, in the same general manner as the iront sprocket 233, this bolt passing through and securing the bearing sleeve between the bottom of the plate 245 and a bracket plate 259 mounted in position on the upper face of the adjacent ends of the chain guides 253, 254. The p-osition of the sprocket 251 is such as to properly determine the position of and guide the active course of the chain with respect to the harvesting rolls, so that the flights thereof lie in suitable position over the rolls.

A supporting bracket 26| is mounted on the upper side of the forward end of the plate 2| 3, as more particularly indicated in Fig. 14, this bracket carrying a suitably braced and vertically offset flange portion 262 on the upper face of which a gathering spider 263 of dished formation and having a central hub portion 284 rotatably mounted on a bearing sleeve held in adjustable position by a bolt passing through the bearing sleeve and through a longitudinally elongated slot in the ange portion 262 of the bracket. The bracket itself is preferably held in laterally adjustable position by bolts passing downwardly through an aperture in the bracket and through transversely elongated slots 231 in the forward end portion of the plate 2I3, the bolts being held in position by units at the lower side of the plate. The axis of the dished spider is inclined both forwardly and outwardly at a slight angle, preferably about fifteen degrees, to the vertical, so that the lowermost portion of the tips of the teeth of the spider are at the forward inner side thereof, in a position immediately adjacent the ground so that they may rake the surface of the ground and lift down stalks and ears during operation of the machine.

Forwardly extending frame bars 21| are pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis on a pivot carried by a bearing 212 at the front end of the forward extension 2I4 of the frame bars 23; and the forward portion of these bars gradually curve inwardly. Upstanding side shield elements 213 of gradually reduced height toward their forward end are secured to the bars 21|, and with the bars extend beyond the forward end of the shields; and the rear end of these shields fits outside the forward end of inner gathering shields 214; the pivotal movement of the bars 21| and shield elements 213 carried thereby being limited through engagement of inwardly extending bolts 215 at the upper rear end of the shilds 213 passing through elongated slots in the forward end of each gathering shield 214.

Each gathering shield 214 is mounted 1n position at its forward end by the bolts 236 passing through an inner flange bracket on the outer wall of the shield and through the bracket frame 234, as indicated in Fig. 41. The upwardly rising outer wall of each shield 214 is turned inwardly to provide an approximately horizontal edge portion which is secured to a fiange on the upstanding bracket plate 51. The lower substantially vertical side wall of the shield 214 preferably has a rearward extension 216, the rear end being inclined inwardly, and this vertical wall being secured to the upper face of the chain guides 253, 254, preferably by the same bolts as are used to secure the chain guides in position on the trough plate 245.

Mounted on the front end of the tractor frame is the upper section 28| of a center divider, this section comprising a forwardly extending roof section 282 and a downward projection 283 therefrom having an inclined and generally curved forward wall with side portions extending alongside and spaced from the front end of the tractor frame. This upper section is detachably secured in position by means of brackets 284 secured to the inner side of the roof and side wall portions, the upper plate of these brackets and the roof section having apertures therethrough which fit over the turned up end 285 of the upper flange of brackets 286 removably attached to the side frame of the tractor. The lower end of each bracket 284 has a guiding fit in an aperture in a lower ange of the bracket 286. In this condition, the weight of the upper section is carried by the upper iiange of bracket 286. The divider section 28| is releasably held in operative position by latches 289 inserted through slots in an inner plate portion of the brackets 284, the lower edge of the latch having a recessed portion with a rounded upper side, as indicated at 290, which lits over the edge of the lower wall of a slot in the plate portion of the bracket 284, this edge serving as a pivot on which the latch may rotate. After the latch is inserted in the slot in the bracket 284 from the inner side thereof, a cotter pin 29|, passed through an aperture in the outer edge portion of the latch, engages the side walls of the slot in bracket 284 to restrain inward movement of the latch about its pivot.

A weighted extension 293 near the upper edge of the inner side of the latch biases the latch to a position wherein this extension lies immediately below the upper iiange of the bracket 286, thus restraining the divider section 28| against upward removal from the tractor. To remove the upper divider section, the operator reaches from underneath and rotates the latch 289 outwardly on its pivot so that the extension 293 clears the upper flange of the bracket 286; and then the upper section may be moved upwardly to withdraw the bracket 284 from the turned up end of the upper flange on the bracket 285 and to withdraw the lower end of the bracket 284 from the aperture in the lower arm of the bracket 286, thereby permitting complete withdrawal of divider section from the tractor.

The upper fixed section 28| of the center divider is provided at a forward central point with an aperture 295 through which a crank may be inserted for starting the tractor engine. With this crank aperture in a fixed portion of the center divider, the position of vertical adjustment of harvester frame or other parts does not interfere with cranking the engine.

A lower center divider section 296 has its upper edge of generally rounded form, fitting over the correspondingly shaped lower edge portion of the upper section 28| of the center divider and has rearwardly extending side portions through which this lower section is pivotally mounted in a detachable manner to a lower rear edge portion abbassa" of theA upper section ofthe divider; preferablyvv throug'hf a removable pivot bolt passingl throughr the forward ends of the pivoted arms 2li on thek side shield213 project with a loose guided lit, thus assisting in bracing the lower edge portion of this center divider section 29S, while at the same time permitting pivotal movement of this divider section and the shield 213, and insuring that vthe divi-:ler section may follow the raising and'lowering of the forward end of the harvester frame to which the shields 213 are pivotally attached.

An' inner rear shield sectionA S88 is secured in position by bolts, preferably the saine bolts as hold the chain guide 256 in position, passing through a flange at the inner edge of shield section and into or through this chain guide. The upwardly and outwardly rising wall at the forward portion of the shield is secured by bolts to an upper flange on the rearwardly extending guide wall section Zl of the shield 21d; and the rear portion of the shield 333 of gradually reducing height has a vertical fiange at its upper edge in engagement with the inner side of the rear portion of the guide wall extension Zi.

A rear end shield or guard 313, overlying the upwardly extending driving shafts |38 of the main power drive on which the sprockets lill are mounted, has forwardly extending side walls 3|3 inside'which the rear ends of the rear extensions '216 of the shield 211i nt and which are preferably bolted to Such extensions, preferably in a manner to provide longitudinal adjustment of the xed connection between the parts. The end shield 3 lo is preferably provides with a rear plate connected to and bracing the side walls 313 and preferably provided at its lower rear edge with a downwardly turned guard lip 3io. The end shield 3l@ is secured in position by one ormore bracing straps 311 attached to the rear wall and the side walls 313 of the shield and having their forwardly extending ends bolted to the outer face ofthe extension walls 315 adjacent the rear end thereof.

A separate forwardly extending frame bar Sti is detachably secured by one or more bolts 323 and positioning pins 324 to the outer side of the forward end of each frame bar, this bar 3.2i extending forwardly in substantially the same plane as the bar 21 and the adjacent portion of thev frame bar 23; and it has an extension 325 secured to the bar at its forward end.

A transversely adjustable rear stripper plate 321, inclined downwardly so that its inner edge lies over and adjacent harvester roll 133, is mounted on upper flange portions of brackets 328 secured to the frame bar 321, bolts 323 passing through transversely elongated slots 33l in the stripper plate and apertures in the flange on brackets 323 secured to the bar 321. These bolts 32B preferably have spacer collars thereon lying in the transverse slots of the stripper plate, a nut on the upper end of each bolt being turned down against the spacing collar so as to secure the collar in nxed position as a guide along which the slotted portion of the stripper plate may move transversely across the brackets 328. This stripper plate is heldin any desired position of adjustment with respect to the bar 32! by means of hand Vbolts 334each threaded through apro-l' jection 335 at the lower side of a flange on? brackets 328 and passing through an aperture in an outer flange 333 of the stripper plate and heldy against movement relative to the latter by a? flange or enlargement on the bolt bearing againstV the outer face of the iiange 336 anda nut 331, ther latter being held in position by a lock nut, on the bolt bearing against the inner face of the latter flange. As the bolts are rotated, they withdraw from or enter the projecting lugs 335 on the brackets to cause the stripper plate 321 to be shifted laterally inward or outward to thedesiredf extent with respect to the adjacent picker section' of the harvester roll.

Forwardly of the stripper plate 321 is a second bolts 342 passing through apertures in the frame" bars 321 and through transversely elongated slots 343 in the stripper element 340.

The inner edge of the stripper plate 340 is in the form of a pair of pivoted stripper sections or leaves 346, 34? having hub sections 348 at their remote ends and 343 at their adjacent ends, and through which a pivot spindle 331 passes, this spindle likewise passing through apertures in hinge brackets 352 and an intermediate hinge bracket 35,3 secured in position at the inner edge of the body portion of the plate 343. The intermediate hinge bracket 353 has an upstanding projection flanged over at its upper end, as indicated at 354, this flange having at its inner edge a downwardly inclined projection 355, projections 33B on the adjacent hub portions 349 of the plv'- oted stripper leaves 346, 341 being engageablev with the underside o the stop 355 to limit the downward movement of the stripper leaves. rorsion springs 351 surround portions of the pivot spindle 33| between the hub portions 348, 343 of each stripper leaf; and one end of the springs bear against the adjacent inner edge of the body portion of the stripper element 340 and the other end of the springs bear against the outer edge of the adjacent stripper leaf., A guard plate 3,53 overlying the hinge brackets may be secured in position on the upper face of the flange 334. Through this arrangement, the springs bias the stripper leaves downwardly to a position, inclicated in Fig. i2, wherein further downward movement of the leaves is restrained by engagement of the projections 351' on the leaves with the stop 354. In operation, the stripper leaves may be rotated on their pivot,` so as to raise the inner edges of the leaves, by a low-hanging ear or a heavy stalk beneath the leaves, to permit an ear to pass upwardly of the inner edges of the leaves, thus insuring that the corn ear and the portion of the stalk'to which it is attached are brought to the upper side of the stripper plates into a position where the ear may be subjected to the normal action of the snapping roll sections.

A forwardly extending bracket 36| (see Figs. 44 through 48) is pivotaily mounted, through a base flange 3&2 and an upper bracket portion 363 thereof, on a bearing sleeve 364 clamped in position between the upper face of the stripper element 340 and the lower face of the bracket 333,v by the most forward bolt 342 passing through an aperture in the forward end of the bar 32! and a transversely elongated slot 343 in the stripper element 348, the securing nut 351 on the upper end of the bolt holding the parts in position. The pivoted bracket 331 is biased inwardly about its pivot by a spring 359 bearing against the outer 

